Homemade BBQ Sauce

How to Make Your Own BBQ Sauce

A summertime staple now that the grilling has bung, BBQ sauce is one of those things once you find one you really like it's hard to find anything else that compares or it could take years even if you did! We use a variety of sauces from Open Pit, Baby Ray's, Country Bob's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and to save some of the best for last Rub N Chug original and cinnamon apple! If you live in the area and have never tried this, you need too! Due to the fact we get treated every once in a while with some homemade Rub N Chug BBQ sauces I have left it up to the pro since I know mine wouldn't even compare. 

Today I tried my hand at some homemade Jack Daniel's BBQ sauce, my inspiration was the pork loin that is in our smoker and TGIFriday's (is it really only Tuesday?). We don't normally get that fancy with our meals but when we find meat for $1.78 a pound and it's good stuff; we grab is and run with it! I purchased a whole pork loin for under and cut it into 4 meals ... two roasts and two meals worth of pork loin chops! Don't forget we are feeding a family of 6, two of these meals are in the freezer and each one has enough for lunch leftovers.

Now some of you might be thinking ... we sure don't have any Jack Daniel's on hand! No worries, try something else, your favorite wine, favorite seasonal beer, or even a Coke, I really don't think it would matter ... it's all about what flavors work for you. I couldn't tell you how long the bottle I used today has been sitting in our cupboard but when I starting thinking about making BBQ and TGIFriday's Jack Daniel's menu (I'm salivating as I type) came to mind, it was a no brainer! I started with a recipe from The Ultimate BBQ Sauce Recipes and just tweaked it with what I had on hand.

Homemade Jack Daniel's BBQ

3/4 cup Jack Daniels Whiskey (optional, substitute with water)

1 teaspoon of onion powder

4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 cup homemade ketchup

1/3 cup of vinegar

3 tablespoons of Worchestershire sauce

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup homemade maple syrup

1/2 cup tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon of hot pepper sauce

Whisk together ingredients in sauce pan. Bring boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. 

This has been simmering for about 15 minutes and it smells and tastes DELISH! I love when recipes come together without having to leave your home to purchase additional ingredients.